mauldin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowLiterary, Formal, Critical
Quick answer
What does “mauldin” mean?
Excessively sentimental, mawkish, or weakly emotional.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Excessively sentimental, mawkish, or weakly emotional; characterized by cheap, cloying, or superficial sentimentality.
Originally used to describe sentimentality in art or literature, now broadly applies to any expression, behavior, or work seen as insincerely or excessively emotional in a shallow way.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'Mauldin' is standard in both. The term is more commonly recognized and used in British literary and artistic criticism. In American English, 'mawkish' is a far more frequent synonym.
Connotations
In British usage, it retains a stronger connection to Victorian or 19th-century sentimental art and popular literature. In American usage, it may sound somewhat archaic or highly literary.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both varieties, but higher relative recognition in UK due to literary tradition. 'Mawkish' is the dominant term in everyday critical vocabulary in the US.
Grammar
How to Use “mauldin” in a Sentence
be/become/seem + mauldinfind something + mauldinadjective + and + mauldin (e.g., simplistic and mauldin)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mauldin” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The critic dismissed the poet's later work as mauldin and predictable.
- The film's ending was spoiled by its mauldin reliance on a dying child.
American English
- The Hallmark special was charming at first but grew unbearably mauldin.
- He avoided writing mauldin lyrics, preferring a more ironic tone.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in literary criticism, art history, and cultural studies to critique works deemed emotionally shallow.
Everyday
Extremely rare; a 'hard word' for most native speakers.
Technical
Not used in technical fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mauldin”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mauldin”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mauldin”
- Misspelling as 'maldin' or 'maulden'.
- Using it as a positive term.
- Confusing it with the surname 'Mauldin' (e.g., cartoonist Bill Mauldin).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It derives from the archaic Scottish and Northern English term 'maudlin', meaning tearfully sentimental, which itself comes from 'Magdalene' (Mary Magdalene), often depicted in art as a weeping penitent.
It derives from the archaic Scottish and Northern English term 'maudlin', meaning tearfully sentimental, which itself comes from 'Magdalene' (Mary Magdalene), often depicted in art as a weeping penitent.
Yes, 'mauldin' is a variant spelling of 'maudlin'. 'Maudlin' is the more common modern spelling, but 'mauldin' is a recognized, though rarer, form. Their meanings are identical.
Yes, though it's less common than describing a work of art or expression. E.g., 'After a few drinks, he became rather mauldin, reminiscing about lost loves.' It describes behavior, not a permanent character trait.
No common noun form exists. The related noun is 'maudlinism' (or 'maudinism'), but it is exceedingly rare. The quality is typically described as 'mauldin sentimentality' or 'mawkishness'.
Excessively sentimental, mawkish, or weakly emotional.
Mauldin is usually literary, formal, critical in register.
Mauldin: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɔːldɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɔːldɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'maul' (to handle roughly) combined with 'din' (a loud noise). A mauldin piece of art 'mauls' your emotions with a sentimental 'din' that is unpleasant and overwhelming.
Conceptual Metaphor
SENTIMENTALITY IS A CLINGING, SICKLY SUBSTANCE (e.g., cloying, treacly, saccharine).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the best definition of 'mauldin'?